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Clicker training Theory
Teaching Cues
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Clicker Training Articles
Leave it
Teaching your dog to leave objects or food is
a very important part of your dog's training. It is many Times a matter
of safety for your dog since there are so many things that he naively
can try to take in his mouth. Having a dog that responds well to "leave
it" is also important for therapy dogs who find themselves often in
hospitals and other places where pills and medicine can be found on the
floor. In these situations the 'leave it' cue can save your dog a lot of
pain and discomfort.
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Prepare in advance a clicker and some highly reinforcing treats.
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Hold one treat in one hand and the other
treats with the clicker in the other.
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Show your dog the treat on the palm of
your hand. Wait until he tries to get it. The second he does, say
'leave it' and close your fist over the treat.
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Your dog will try to get the treat and you
simply need to wait. Don't say a thing and don't move your hand. Let
the dog experiment and try whatever he wants to try in order to get
that treat. You are waiting for the second he gives up.
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The second your dog gives up and stops
trying to get the treat - click and treat from the other hand.
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Repeat several times until your dog stops
trying to get the treat immediately and waits for the treat from the
other hand.
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Now, change hands and repeat the exercise.
Your dog will show some regression in his performance but it will
build up very fast.
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Now, put the treat on the floor. When your
dog goes to get it, cover it with your hand or foot. Again, let the
dog try to get it and simply wait until he gives up. When he does -
click and treat.
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Repeat until you don't even have to put
your foot or hand over the treat.
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Note: you need to be concentrated in this
exercise. Your dog is fast and you need to be faster than him and
stop him from getting the treat!
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Now, start proofing and generalizing.
Repeat the exercise on walks, in parks, etc. Show your dog a treat
during a walk, throw it in front of him. When he goes for it, say
leave it and step on the treat. Again, click and treat when he gives
up.
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Try to up the stakes. Use better treats as
bait, use environmental baits such as a stick on the ground, garbage
that fell off a garbage can etc.
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During this exercise your dog never gets
the treat that was the bait - only the treats you have as a reward
for leaving the bait.
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Be patient - It takes time and consistency
to have the dog generalize this cue, but it's all worth it.
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